Eat Grapes to Thwart Alzheimer's

October 10, 2009

Alzheimer’s needs no introduction as a dreadful form of dementia that starts at the age of 40 or 50. This degenerative disease consuming the memory of a good number of people is without cure. Researchers have not been able to come up with anything concrete on how to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s. Some of the recommended ideas that may help to ward of the risks are:

Getting plenty of exercise

Eating a brain-healthy diet

Getting adequate and restful sleep

Relaxation

Protection of your brain

And keeping your brain alive and agile

Exercise is a must for all. Strength training activities and weight resistance exercises are claimed to help brain health. Exercise will ensure good blood supply to the brain and will help to minimize the risk due to any previous brain injury. Physical activity will keep obesity at bay and prevent lifestyle diseases like diabetes that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s by threefold. Sleep is a refreshment to both body and brain and aids to enhance memory power and mental ability. Not only your body but also your brain needs movement and agility. You can get your brain moving through memory games, puzzles and by learning something new every day. So de-stress yourself and activate your brain cells through brain teasers, Sudoku’s and neurobic exercises.

Taking a brain healthy diet necessarily mean taking enough folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and fish oils along with teas, greens and fruits. A new study points out that taking grapeseed extract regularly may ward off Alzheimer’s related cognitive impairment. A molecule called amyloid forming in the brain is found to be the cause of Alzheimer’s disease while grapeseed extract deters the damage caused by amyloid. And mice fed on grapeseed extract showed improvement on the tenth consecutive day of grapeseed extract treatment. Grapeseed extract which is rich in antioxidants like polyphenols is capable of fighting plaque in the brain. It is maintained that not only grapeseed extract but also the consumption of red wine and other grape products may help to better brain health.